Madrid, Spain

Big Four accountancy firm PwC has debuted its mobile app which will prevent overcrowding at its office entrances as firms begin to reopen bases across Spain.

PwC Turnos allows staff members in Spain to reserve a slot of 25 minutes to arrive at the office between 0830 to 1030, and reservations must be shown at the entrance.

The Big Four giant told Law.com International that offices in Spain are now open and that it has "reduced office capacity by 50% to guarantee social distancing" alongside various security measures such as providing masks and voluntary testing.

Fellow Big Four firm KPMG Abogados said that mass remote working is still in place. However, should staff need to attend any office, authorisation would be required, a spokesperson said.

"Whenever justified, the plans include the possibility of going to a client's office or offices, for which it is necessary to request authorisation from the firm 48 hours in advance to activate the protocol that includes measures such as sending EPIs to their homes, management of entry times, procedures for using common spaces, use and cleaning of the workplace, serological tests".

Meanwhile, Osborne Clarke kept its Barcelona office open throughout the pandemic, but its bases in Madrid and Zaragoza have now reopened. It has also hired a catering company to provide food to individuals.

Spain managing partner Núria Martin said that physical meetings with clients are not taking place and that coming into the office is voluntary.

Last week, Law.com International revealed that Uría Menéndez is paying for all staff to be tested for COVID-19 as it plots a return to its offices.

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